low end pianos

[Piannaman@aol.com]

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Admirable attitudes one and all.  I share in it the vast majority of the 
time.  There are times, however, when just getting all the notes working takes up 
a fair share of the appointment time I've scheduled for the client.  In those 
cases, time is the limiting factor, and I point out to the client that at this 
particular appointment, getting the piano functioning is the priority.  

On pianos where everything works at least reasonably well, I'm in total 
agreement with y'all.  It will probably be a far longer time between tunings for 
the economically challenged.  And let's face it--if they can stretch the budget 
to pay (usually at a very discounted price) for piano servicing, they are more 
likely to appreciate your work than someone for whom their Steinway is just 
another dust-collecting status symbol.

Dave Stahl

In a message dated 12/30/04 5:53:12 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
hoffsoco@luther.edu writes:


> My attitude regarding the low end piano is the antithesis of a  comment I 
> >read here on the list a few years ago: "I put a timer on the piano  and 
> >when 45 minutes passes, the piano is tuned."
> >
> > >Mine too.
> >
> >Yes, it's harder  to tune that beast, but I think no one would argue the 
> >fact that we tuners  offer service to people.  Some people own 
> >Steinways.  Some people  own other pianos.
> >
> > >Case in point: I tune almost any piano within 15 minutes of my house 
> > (any farther and it s pretty much only good grands.) Today I tuned a 
> > Wurlitzer console; it was a neighbor s grandma s piano, with a card from 
> > Francis Mehaffey stuck in the top (Grandma lived in Claremont, CA, where 
> > Francis lived.)
> >
> >Anyway, I didn t just run through it, but tuned it as I would tune a good 
> >grand---slowly and carefully.
> >
> >When it was done, and I played it, the first thing out of my mouth was 
> >that s the best this little guy has ever sounded.
> >
> >A good, focused tuning can make a huge difference in a C grade piano.  
> Really.
> 
> >David Andersen
> 
> 
> DEFINITELY!!
> 
> The only reason that a tuning on a C-grade piano could take any less time 
> is that the point of diminishing returns is reached earlier.  Usually, it 
> takes longer because of reasons we all know.
> 
> My tuning is done when _I'm_ satisfied that it has the best tuning possible.
> i.e. - I tune for my own pleasure...
> 
> Questions I ask myself before I close up the piano:
> 1. Is it the best tuning the piano can take?
> 2. Is the piano in better condition (exclusive of tuning) than when I found 
> it?
> 3. Have I addressed all the concerns the customer may have voiced?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Conrad Hoffsommer, RPT, MPT, CCT, PFP, ACS, CRS.
> Decorah, IA
> 
> - Certified Calibration Technician for Bio-powered Digitally Activated 
> Lever Action Tone Generation Systems.
> - Pianotech Flamesuit Purveyor
> - American Curmudgeon Society - Apprentice Member and Founder
> 



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